i went out with my camera last weekend to welney wash to see the floods.while there i got heckled by a someone else doing the same thing.this person who thought they were a pro photographer:rolleyes: slagged me for having a canon camera and not a nikon:wonder:yes i did tell him to fcuk off.but it got me thinking. i've seen in jessops and a few other local camera shops of snotty attitudes by people in there (staff & customers) towards people who are new to photography and not buy the latest kit.or is it just me:Suspiciou

Tell them all to **** off. Everyone has to start somewhere and as already mentioned earlier in this forum, it's not the gear but the person behind the camera.

I'm not getting into the Nikon vs Canon debate, it has never been an issue on this forum, both are capable of producing top quality images.

The guy was obviously an insecure asshole. I've been to many gigs/fashionshows/photoshoots over the last 30 years where I've been with professionals and have never had a problem. It's why they call them pros, they have nothing to worry about. When I was working as a semi-pro I did as the pros did with me, swapped experiences, tips and tricks so your "friend" obviously has a few issues. Ignore him and continue on your way.

he was the local village idiot i think:wonder: all the gear and know idea was my impression.no he didn't bother me and i'll carry on as i am:thumb:

while there i got heckled by a someone else doing the same thing.this person who thought they were a pro photographer:rolleyes: slagged me for having a canon camera and not a nikon

On what basis did you believe he "thought they were a pro photographer :rolleyes:" ? ;)

All the pro photographers I know are the least likely to get involved in conversation about equipment - I always get more photographers asking me about kit, than I ever start. I tend to just get on and do the job, and I'm occassionly alongside nonprofessional photographers draped in gear.

I see what you mean, but we don't all strut around shouting "hey look at me, I'm better than you cos I'm a pro" - in fact we're more like the SAS, the quiet one in the corner watching and waiting :lol1:

No snobbery from us, we're bigger than that ;) :D :D

Gareth

I'm with Gareth and Sti on this 1.

I've never met (on the whole) a more friendly bunch. Infact at 1 shoot I went to 2 people forgot bits of kit, and the other guys round them who had the needed bits lent them theirs! You see, we're more likely to help each other out than slag each other off. I myself have had hekp of a Big Pictures guy when I was strggling at a Celeb footy match and have always rememebered that.

As I said, on the whole we're a nice bunch, but there are arseholes in every walk of life.

you earning now Simon?

On what basis did you believe he "thought they were a pro photographer :rolleyes:" ? ;)

All the pro photographers I know are the least likely to get involved in conversation about equipment - I always get more photographers asking me about kit, than I ever start. I tend to just get on and do the job, and I'm occassionly alongside nonprofessional photographers draped in gear.

I see what you mean, but we don't all strut around shouting "hey look at me, I'm better than you cos I'm a pro" - in fact we're more like the SAS, the quiet one in the corner watching and waiting :lol1:

No snobbery from us, we're bigger than that ;) :D :D

Gareth
as you said "nonprofessional photographers draped in gear" he was more interested in what i was doing.but he was very happy to show the people there how long the zoom lens he had went in and out:wonder:

you earning now Simon?


Chance to get away from the FT job and pick a camera up would be a good start :lol1:

Its not going to be easy this year either, 2 of my colleages have just quit so its back on 2 weeks on 1 week off on call.


Still, hope springs enternal and all that.

keep at it :D

but he was very happy to show the people there how long the zoom lens he had went in and out:wonder:

There is a non photographic term that describes that action very well ;) :D - fits the bill perfectly here me thinks

There is a non photographic term that describes that action very well ;) :D - fits the bill perfectly here me thinks

LOL! It's definitley apt.

keep at it :D

I am doing :D And whilst I still have access to Toy and her band :D although there is now rivalry there now as her bf is a pro photographer! Still it forces me to improve so not a bad thing.


Though have to wait till April for her next gig :brickwall

There are some very odd people out there. I got chatting to a photographer a couple of years ago who said he replaced his camera when a piece of software told him there were a certain number of dead pixels on the sensor. Nevr mind what his photos actually looked like.

I thought: WTF? But it's hard to tell someone in person that you think they're nuts. (Much easier online!)

Much easier online!

LOL!

What is it you are "doing" while you "still have access to Toy and her hand"? :lol1:

I've met lots of famous photographers for magazine interviews and those at the top have one thing in common - amazing openness and modesty. They love to talk about photography, images and techniques, but the brand hardware never gets a mention. In fact, almost the opposite - they prefer old tried and tested favourites against the untried latest and greatest. Unless, of course, it can actually make a pictorial difference. Refreshing :)

Richard.

What is it you are "doing" while you "still have access to Toy and her hand"? :lol1:



Richard.


Dirty old man!!!! :D

Less of the old please! Just because I've got a bit of a limp... :D

Your older than I am :p

What is it you are "doing" while you "still have access to Toy and her hand"? :lol1:

I've met lots of famous photographers for magazine interviews and those at the top have one thing in common - amazing openness and modesty. They love to talk about photography, images and techniques, but the brand hardware never gets a mention. In fact, almost the opposite - they prefer old tried and tested favourites against the untried latest and greatest. Unless, of course, it can actually make a pictorial difference. Refreshing :)

Richard.

I know what you mean Richard. I met Michel Comte (v.famous fashion photographer) and he was giving a chat at a fashion event in Luzern, Switzerland. His books were on sale but he wasn't pushing them, just talking about why he loves what he does. I collared him afterwards and had a few drinks with him and he was such a modest and humble man, but what a talent! Really down to earth, easy to talk to and ready to share (i.e. educate me) his tips and tricks.

I've probably mentioned this before on these forums but I also met Penny Smith who was The Clash's photographer. They played Belfast and I was shooting for a Southern Irish magazine called Hot Press at the time. I'd only been into gig photography for a couple of years and whilst we were waiting for The Clash to take the stage I got a masterclass in uprating Ilford HP5 and processing in Paterson Acuspeed -- all free of charge and from a wonderful lady.

In short, I've been around photography for the last 35 years and have met pros in different disciplines, be it rock music, fashion, or motorsport and I've never had a bad experience. Contrast that with my experience with Scott Gorham and Thin Lizzy when I clocked them walking up the street to do their soundcheck. I introduced myself and asked them if I could take a couple of shots - the rest of the band were cool but Gorham was a real asshole and wouldn't participate no matter how hard I tried. I always held a bit (just a bit) of a grudge against the american asshole but recently read in Classic Rock that at that period in time he was ****-faced most of the time on herion and coke and didn't know where he was. So I forgive him....until the next time :)

just look round at any press conference or anything where the press are and see how many white lenses you see!! this should give you an idea of what gear is in use by the real pros.

I get the same sh1t from my mates who both have Nikons, a D70 and the other a D80.

I have a lowely Canon 20D and love it.

Don't like the clunky noises that the Nikons make and the fact the do superior D80 takes SD cards aswell. Plus the 20D has stuff the Nikons can only dream about :D

Suzy's D300 doesn't 'clunk' lol

And I wouldn't pass up a D3 if someone offered me one.

I think the pros will pick up anything that does the job. And I reckon the full frame D3 will eat into the current distribution of kit especially with the awesome work horse lenses; 70-200 f/2.8 and 17-55 f/2.8.

And I wouldn't pass up a D3 if someone offered me one.

Springbok is in China and could nip down to Hong Kong and get us a couple cheap :D:D:D

Springbok is in China and could nip down to Hong Kong and get us a couple cheap :D:D:D

Group buy?? :D:D

LOL@Simon. I wonder if we could persuade him? :D:D:D

Interesting bit here on the D3 from a pro bloke that I think says a lot, he uses others but likes how Nikon feels to him:

"For the record I personally like Nikons. Something about them has always just clicked with me, and though the Canons and the Contax/Phase are cameras I continue to use and find good for my style of work, Nikons always feel natural to me."

Backs up the thing about the camera only being the tool, it's the operator that makes the difference.

I also like the fact he was shooting jpegs in auto mode - definitely no snobbery there!!

Nikon D3 First Impressions (http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/d3.shtml)

On my photojournalism course we were encouraged to introduce ourselves to other photographers we would meet in out on jobs. When I was out in about in London as a newbie fresh out of college you would meet some great guys and gals with good advice and also plenty of heads up their arses idiots! I saw Richard Young the paparazzi fella on a couple of jobs and decided to say hello as I recognised him and liked his stuff. I may as well not have existed and despite standing next to him for a further 5 minutes I was completely blanked. What an asshole! Mind you he does wear cowboy boots and drive around London on a Harley so maybe not a complete surprise.

Springbok is in China and could nip down to Hong Kong and get us a couple cheap :D:D:D


ssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh :D

I think the only snobbery I've come across is on net Models. Some photographer are rather up themselves (though usually with the skills to back ti up!), but it the models which annoy me.
Some of them have nice friendly blurb about themselves, other just list what they won't do, state that they're only work with pro published photographers, and it's all about what you can do for them - despite them wanting to be paid. Strange way to advertise yourself in a competitive market IMO - if you're hiring a model you want someone who's fun to work with, not full of attitude.

One of them emailed me yesterday by way of an introduction - or rather to demand to know where I'd been published. It's not like I'd approached her for a TFP shoot, she approached me. bizarre!

I think many models have the wrong idea about the business, and think that just being skinny is going to make the famous.